robz

First post, I really like the site, it has been very helpful...

So I heard an uncle of mine has a 55 gallon tank with a stand, filters, accessories, rdy to go just probably need gravel, water, and FISH! So... I have been doing a ton of research the past few days....

I understand the nitrogen cycle and how to get my tank started. The only issues I find difficult is what filters I should be using, considering I have no clue what filters are going to be given to me with the tank. Also, what kind of gravel to get, should I get live plants or fake ones? And the final question, what fish!?

So, through the research I've done I've come up with some fish that I'd like to have in the tank, but I'm not sure if they will work well together...

I am going to start with a Pleco of course, because every tank I've seen has one and they clean it up a lot from what I've read...
Also, I want to have a red tail shark or a Rainbow Shark, they look the coolest out of any fish I've seen so far.
Then I also want a few Clown Loaches, Tetras (Bleeding Heart + Rummy Nose), and possibly some Harlequin Rasboras....

But, I've also thought about getting a few Guppies and breeding them...
If I go that route I would have to get rid of the RTS I think?

I don't really know...

What would help me out the most is a few suggestions of types of fish to get... I really would like to keep a RTS in the tank, but if its easier to get rid of him for some cooler schooling fish, I would go for it.

Thanks a lot, hope to be here awhile once I get my tank going!

-Mike

CHoffman

Hello,
Welcome to fishlore.
It's great that your researching before you get the tank. That will save you a ton of time, money and fishy lives. . I'm not much help when it comes to stocking but I'm sure other members will give you a ton of info. It seems like you might want too many bottom dwellers..The pleco, loaches, shark..I could be very wrong though. Again welcome to Fishlore.

Biscato33

Hi Mike! Welcome to Fishlore!

It's a good thing that you learnt about the nitrogen cycle! Alot of people don't know about that, and lose their fish because they don't know about it! First off, I would ask your uncle what kind of filter he has. Get a filter powerful enough for a 55 gallon tank, so your tank will have a good water flow.
As for the live plants, it depends on the fish. Live plants are beautiful and gives the tank a natural look. I have found that if you get easy to care for plants, the end result can be very rewarding!
On the topic of plant and fish combination, I have heard that clown loaches, once they get large enough can up-root plants, and make the tank a real mess! Maybe you could get a few smaller loaches, I find this site very helpful on the topic of loaches:
http://www.loaches.com/
As for your pleco, I don't know too much about them, but some are very delicate. I think that Bristle nose plecos are neat little guys, that do their job, and don't get too large. It's really what you've been thinking of that matters, just make sure to get one that doesn't grow too big!
Tetras and harlequin rasboras are great fish, so long as you get at least 6 of them. The more the more colourful, and playful they are!
Finally, your Red tail shark, I wouldn't know enough about them to give you any advice, but make sure not to get any look-alikes, as I'm sure you read about.
If you want to breed guppies, you probably would have to scratch almost everything off your list. Unless you have many spare tanks, you would be in for an over-crowded and messy tank. Guppies are prolific breeders, and produce a very large amount of fry!
Hope I helped!
If you have any more questions, just ask!

~ Ali

Red1313

Hey welcome!
Glad to know that you're researching ahead of time (it's a real pain when you don't)
I'm afraid that clown loaches probably arn't going to fit in your tank. They like to have groups of at least 3 and get to be over a foot long. However the rest of you're stocking sounds ok to me. Just a warning about the RTS and Rainbow: Only 1 of each and only one or the other. They don't like fish that are the same species or even look like them. Also they'll be agressive so make sure that the rest of the fish in the tank are either faster/bigger/ or tough enough.
Good Luck!
and someone should be along to help you out more and correct me if I'm wrong!

robz

Wow, you guys reply so quickly!
Thanks for the info...

Okay im scratching the Loaches, wasn't that much of a fan anyway...
So....

I would really like to keep an RTS in there, and know yo have only one, even though I heard if you have a group of them they can be okay...
But, I don't have enough room for 6+ so 1 would be fine...

So the Red Tail Shark would be okay with Tetras? Though the RTS I read can get up to 6".

Also, I was thinking of adding Ghost Shrimp because I read that they help clean the bottom of the tank... Do they become a hassle when trying to vacuum the gravel, or will they get out of the way? = )

Also, as for filters, what kind of filters do the best job? I want something thats easy to clean and quick to clean, it can be on the expensive side, I can deal with that... I read that canister filters are a great way to clean tanks... Would cost me >$100 for a decent one... Cascade 1000 I believe..

On top of that, does airation from air pumps or bubble decorations help the tank much? Or is it mostly for looks?

Thanks again, I know research now will help prevent TONS of problems in the future.... Tanks are harder to care for than I thought, but once I learn everything I need to know, I think it won't be much of a proble.

-Mike

CoreyCat

yeah your shark would be the grumpy of the tank. but as long as you have more than one cave you'll be alright with your selections. i have a 55g also and ive kept a rainbow shark with all kinds of bottom dwellers.
heres a great site to show you how to find what kind of community tank your lookin for...
http://op5.triadinet.com/elmers/nlcatalog.asp?rt=4

hope i helped

Red1313

Give the RTS lots of little nooks and cranies to call his and make sure that he's the last fish you add. Should help keep problems to a minimum. Don't know about ghost shrimp so can't help there.
If you're filter distrubes the water surface then you should be fine for airation and the bubbles will be "mostly" for looks. If it doesn't then the bubbles will help with gas exchange.
I can't give you much help on filters for a tank that size though.

fishyuser63

When I started my 55 gallon I was interested in the same fish as you. I wanted clown loaches but after learnin that a 55g would be too small, I went with some kuhli loaches instead and would recommend them for any community. I also wanted a Redtail shark but I ended up getting three kribensis cichlids instead. These are beautiful, fairly hardy fish that are very entertaining. As for the tetras, I went with the red-eye tetra. If you go with a redtail shark it should do fine with most tetras although smaller tetras (neons)may be eaten when the shark grows. As for the ghost shrimp, they're great. I've never had a problem when vaccuming my tank.

I don't know much about filters. I would recommend a canister though. From what I have heard, they are great. I would love to get one. Also, bubble wands and air stones are benificial to the tank. It provides oxygen for the fish and helps move the water.

Have fun setting up your tank...that's the best part. And be sure to post some pics once it's up and running.

Lucy

I welcome to Fish Lore

Good to hear that you're doing so much research.
How are you going to cycle?
While waiting for your tank to cycle, you'll have plenty of time to decide what your going to stock it with.

Cycling takes time and patience, but well worth the wait.

Good luck.

Emory

My ghost shrimp like to take a ride up the vacuum tube almost every time I clean. All you do is give the hose a little shake until you shake them down and out. I have a python so I have to keep an extra eye out or they will be "ghost shrimp splaté." (like liver paté)

I love my ghost shrimp. They have practically no bioload and I have heard members say they consider them to have a negative bioload. Who knows? The little guys are real cute, anyway.

robz

I planned on cycling using pure ammonia until everything is balanced, seems to be the easiest/low cost way for a tank of my size. And i read that using food to produce the initial ammonia is bad for the tank and can cause problems and dirty the tank up....

Sound good?

Lucy

Yep, that sounds good.

We kept my daughter's tank cycled with fish food. We must have added too much because it was a mess. I had to do a 100% waterchange and sift the gravel before we could add her fish. Yuck.

Good luck.